A Simple Explanation: CBD and Your Endocannabinoid System

cCBD skincare products, on a green background

As the legal cannabis market has blossomed, so too has the popularity of CBD, a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. Both researchers and everyday Americans believe this versatile substance has a variety of applications, which includes CBD skincare.

If you’re curious about CBD but don’t know precisely how it works in harmony with your body, we have you covered. The following is a simple explanation of CBD and what’s called your endocannabinoid system.

The Basics: the Endocannabinoid System

In a nutshell, the endocannabinoid system is a multifaceted signaling system that functions on the cellular level. The three major players in this system are enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids are molecules manufactured in your body that help make sure everything is functioning properly. Reactions happen when your receptors come into contact with the endocannabinoids in your nervous system. Then enzymes handle the breakdown and cleanup.

Endocannabinoids are chemically similar to both THC and CBD, which is why reactions happen when you ingest the latter. Specific impacts—whether it’s pain management, anxiety reduction, skin improvements, etc.—will vary based on what kind of receptor the CBD interacts with.

Scientists don’t totally understand the full scope of the endocannabinoid system yet. However, they have identified it as a player in a wide variety of bodily functions, from digestion to heart function and more. It also impacts brain function.

How Does CBD Interact with Your Body (Including CBD Skincare)

Woman using CBD skincare in front of a mirror
Founder of Clean Beauty and Wellness, Susan McMenamin

There are several substances found within cannabis, though the most well-known are THC and CBD. THC is the most infamous cannabinoid, because it results in intoxication. CBD interacts with your body in its own unique way, and doesn’t lead to a high.

For one, you may have heard that CBD can help to relieve anxiety. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explored this effect in a 2015 published testimonial. A study by the Journal of Psychopharmacology came to the same conclusion.

CBD may also be helpful in treating pain, as noted by a study conducted by Syracuse University. Another study in Frontiers in Pharmacology confirmed this finding. CBD may also be a good weapon against arthritis, per the European Journal of Pain.

As for CBD skincare, the journal La Clinica Terapeutica concluded that CBD can help treat inflammation and scarring. And if you’re struggling with breakouts, the Journal of Drug and Dermatology found that CBD can help treat acne and better regulate skin oil production.

These are just a few of the compelling bits of information regarding how CBD interacts with your body. But what, precisely, is happening in the brain?

How Does CBD Affect the Brain?

For many years, people thought that anything cannabis related was simply bad for your brain. However, it turns out that this was just bad science. 

CBD, sourced from hemp or elsewhere, may actually be a positive influence on your noggin, and may even protect it from damage. Yes, really.

According to the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, CBD was found to help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), specifically with management of their symptoms. While the study authors also called for more research, their findings are promising.

Individuals with epilepsy may also benefit from CBD use, as noted by the journal Molecules. Notably, this study explained that CBD is especially helpful for young people who have the disorder but didn’t respond to conventional treatments.

CBD may also decrease what’s called oxidative stress in the brain, per the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers concluded that folks who ingested cannabis over the long term had decreased inflammation and antioxidative stress.

This means that CBD may help the brain fend off diseases like Alzherimer’s and Parkinson’s, which is a significant finding. Who knows what else CBD can do for our brains, given its unique characteristics?

The Benefits of CBD Skincare for Your Endocannabinoid System

From anxiety to epilepsy to skin conditions, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system for versatile benefits. The more researchers discover, the more exciting this cannabinoid becomes.

We love the promise of CBD, hence why we’ve formulated a line of CBD-infused beauty and wellness products. Our line of CBD skin care is just one more way you can work CBD into your life, for gentle daily benefits. 

4 Comments

  1. […] family, my husband and I moved to Boca Raton, Florida, which is where I discovered CBD, a versatile cannabinoid found in hemp. Fascinated by its properties, I knew I was onto something great – but I couldn’t […]



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  3. […] is because CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system in a similar way to compounds you produce in your own body naturally. This system regulates a wide […]



  4. […] short, cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Unlike THC, which interacts directly with the cannabinoid receptors, CBD indirectly […]